Introductions

[Philip H]

Dredge,
Welcome. I've been on the Army Corps of Engineers side of dredging - who did you work for?
Philip

[fotoflojoe]

Hello everyone!

I joined here a while back, but have been lurking the whole time.
After a hiatus of doing all the adult stuff, I returned to model railroading a couple years back.
I'm currently in search of "the perfect" n scale track plan for a layout - this is leading to a tremendous amount of waffling and analysis paralysis.

Of all the board lurking I've been doing recently, this place seems to have a really good sense of community paired with a source of information.
I hope to learn here and contribute/help out when I can!

Nice to meet you all!

-Joe Cummings 

[davefoxx]

I'm currently in search of "the perfect" n scale track plan for a layout - this is leading to a tremendous amount of waffling and analysis paralysis.

"We are the [Hollow Core Door layout builders].  We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own.  Resistance is futile.  Your life as it has been is over.  From this time forward, you will service us."

Seriously, Joe, welcome to the TRW.

DFF

[fotoflojoe]

"We are the [Hollow Core Door layout builders].  We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own.  Resistance is futile.  Your life as it has been is over.  From this time forward, you will service us."

Seriously, Joe, welcome to the TRW.

DFF

Thanks Dave!
Actually, seeing the remaining photos of your Virginia Central layout are what hooked me into wanting to build an HCD layout.
Following construction of the Seaboard Central is what sealed the deal! 

Soon, I will be starting a new Layout Engineering Report thread with the track plan I'm planning to work with...
The plan is lifted from another user on another forum - he designed the track plan, but never built a layout from it.
It's a 3x9, based on Carolina/Virginia Central with 12.5" min radius.

- Joe

[davefoxx]

Joe,

Thanks.  I'm very flattered.  I can't wait for you to start your thread and construction of your layout.  That extra two-plus feet of length to the layout will really allow you to stretch out your plan.  If you can post a drawing of your layout plan, I'm sure there's many of us that would like to see what you have planned.

Oh, and don't sweat the lifting of the track plan from someone else.  We've all done that.

DFF

[cjjd6901]

Hi Friends:

I have returned to following the forum.  This is a great place to find ideas and needed advice.

Best,

   Chris

[kt9797]

Hi everyone. Just got back into model rr'ing about a year ago. Over the summer started gathering some of the basic and not so basic things I need to build my layout. I live in an apt so I'm going the shelf layout route in N scale with a removeable "staging" yard. The main layout to start is going to be an 18" shelf  7'6" x 11'. Once I get this part built and "finished" I might extend it along the rest of the wall which is 5' x 9' although this part will have to come down for access to the deck but its a loooong way away. I picked up an NCE PowerCab, Bunch of ME cd55 flex track and cork roadbed. Got a Fast Track #5 turnout jig and related tools(The only thing I've actually built for the layout so far are the turnouts). Got a pair of Bachman 44 tonners cause I've always like the model and it came with DCC installed. Some new and used rolling stock just to get things going. Well hopefully over the rest of the winter and spring I will be able to post some pics of the layout getting built and a track plan. For now enjoying looking at everyones fine model railroads and related equipment and follwing along the blogs for those who have them. This site and MRH have been huge influences in me getting back into the hobby.

[DT Rails]

Hi everyone I am just getting back into the hobby after 50 years due to space I am going with N scale. I started a small layout in november just to get my feet wet.

http://s543.photobucket.com/user/johne230/slideshow/Trains

Now I am going for something a little bigger not as big as I would like but space is an issue so here is what I am going to do.

[Philip H]

Welcome gentleman. It's late in the weekend so the donut box is almost empty, but the coffee pot is hot. Feel free to start a Layout Engineering report on your pike and don't forget to post on Weekend Update!

[Angus Shops]

Hello fellow modellers,

I'm joining TRW after months of lurking because it's time to start contributing.

I'm a modeller of the Canadian Pacific circa 1958, from Field BC to Golden BC. Just before the holidays I installed what I think is the last track work on the 'visible' portion of the layout; some work remains on the staging areas. The layout is in a 24 X 13 foot room in our basement. The basic configuration is a 'nolix', with the track rising in a continuous grade (1 inch in 5 feet) as the track loops 1 3/4 times around the walls of the room. I'm one of those odd fellows who prefers to do most of the basic scenery before laying track, so scenery is mostly complete. Track work is pretty simple, mostly single track with two isolated passing sidings between the major towns of Golden and Field in keeping with the nature of the CPR in BC. The most recent work is an additional town (Moberly) west of Golden to provide some industrial switching. Track in Micro Engineering code 55 with 24 inch minimum radius. Control is Los fashioned 'cab control' but that might have to change.

My primary modelling interest are passenger trains which accounts for the 1958 time setting. This was the last year the the Mountaineer and the Dominion ran as separate  trains in the summer season, and allows me the opportunity model both trains as well as the Canadian. The Canadian is mostly heavily modified Con Cor Budd cars, while the other trains are modified Atlas heavyweights, Micro Trains heavyweights , and some home built castings. Some of you may be familiar with some of my casting work; they are available for purchase at Central Hobbies here in Vancouver. 

Looking forward to some serious modelling now that I've joined up. I am so inspired by what I see on TRW; just lurking has upped my standards significantly.

Geoff Gooderham

[lordscarlet]

I didn't see this thread earlier!

Hello, my name is Doug. I have been interested in trains and modeling most of my life, but it was just a fascination from afar. Outside of running my dad's old Lionel under the Christmas tree each year, I have not done any modeling. I think it's about time I start, so here I am.

I am hoping to create a layout strongly based on Washington, DC, if not prototyped. My dream is to focus on passenger rail and include team service, which will start running in my neighborhood later this year.

I'm reading as much as I can and trying to figure out what I can do as far as track/etc goes. I plan to use JMRI to meld in my other passion, programming, to do some interesting things with an automated layout.

I think that's it for now -- I hope to get my hands dirty before too long!

Doug

[Philip H]

Doug, Welcome aboard!  We should have the next pot of coffee up shortly, and you'll want to make sure you get a ticket and have it ready for the conductor - goes by the name of Mann, Tom Mann.  The DMV a$$hat contingent is always in need of new members - and i guarantee a real DC bas layout will get a LOT of attention.

Philip H

[lordscarlet]

Doug, Welcome aboard!  We should have the next pot of coffee up shortly, and you'll want to make sure you get a ticket and have it ready for the conductor - goes by the name of Mann, Tom Mann.  The DMV a$$hat contingent is always in need of new members - and i guarantee a real DC bas layout will get a LOT of attention.

Philip H

That certainly doesn't put any pressure on me. 

It has been evolving in my head just over the past week or so. I think I need to get my thoughts down on paper to show to others that are more knowledgable -- the main line operation is pretty clear to me, but the turnouts, industry, etc are what I will need help with.

At the moment I am thinking of keeping it simple and focusing on what the kids liked to call "Swampoodle" about 2 years ago -- that is basically the area currently known as NoMa just north of Union Station. Just as the trains (I'm rather certain the Amtrak trains take this route) leave Union Station they travel along 2nd St NE, past the U-Line arena (which would be great to include), and then along NY Ave, basically. Trains used to server Union Market, which I may include and break prototype, just to have some semblance of industry. If there's space I can also have the rail yard in Ivy City, and perhaps try to include DC Brau as an offshoot of the Ivy City yard.

I am also very interested in including the street car. Because of my space and the planned layout, I'm not sure they can run perpendicular as they do in the prototype, so I may need to run them parellel on my layout. With all that, however, I'm not sure where the interesting switching is coming from, but maybe the rail yard and an industry or two is enough.

The elephant in the room, though, is Union Station. Modeling the whole thing is a) rather large and b) probably a bit to take on as a beginner. As a compromise I may just have it at the edge of the layout and do the back end where the platforms are.

..That seems like enough rambling for now, I'm not even sure how many people check in on this thread.

[Virginia Atlantic]

If I may, perhaps model the CSX longbridge over the potomac thru to the Virginia Avenue Tunnel.

In the background you could have all the monuments (as facing north, you'd see the tracks, then buildings, then monuments).

But aye, something as complex as Union Station wouldn't be easy for anyone, mcuh less a new-to-hobby guy, but thats part of the fun of it all, reaching big.

Best of luck!

[peteski]

..That seems like enough rambling for now, I'm not even sure how many people check in on this thread.

Members do read this thread. 

However, for maximum exposure, don't be afraid to put your musings in a new post in the Layout Engineering Reports section of the forum. It is after all visited by all those expert layout planners who are more than happy to offer guidance and fresh ideas.